ISLAMABAD, June 12: From Ali Pur ka Aeeli to Shahab Nama and Aik Muhabbat Sau Afsaney, the diverse range of Urdu story-telling was celebrated at the Postal Services Academy in Islamabad on Wednesday.

The works written by literary notables Mumtaz Mufti, Qudratullah Shahab and Ishfaq Ahmed explore the angst of lovers, mysticism and spirituality, often taking on social taboos.

If you examine the tradition of Urdu literature, a giant such as Iqbal, there is an attempt to make sense of history and religious ideas, noted writer Jalil Aali.

In a setting, which is often been conservative in its outlook, story-telling has allowed writers to use metaphors to cloak provocative notions.

Mumtaz Mufti’s writing, for instance, like Manto were marked with leftist leanings and satirised religious orthodoxy.

These stories may be filled with prostitutes and pimps, strangely awarding them with dignity, in a society that mocked their position.

When the human heart is ridiculed, it withers and withdraws its scent, columnist at Nawa-i-Waqt Ayesha Mahsud ruminated.

“A writer picks up his pen when this sensibility is hurt,” Manto told a court judge while on trial for obscenity.

Manto took on the darker side of human nature, yet insisted on personal and political progress.

In contrast, Qudratullah Shahab alludes to his experience with spirituality in Shahab Nama.

His niece Samina Amin Qadir, vice-chancellor at Fatima Jinnah University, remembers a man dressed in smart suits, matching socks and having a penchant for perfumes.

Shahab Nama’s foray into spirituality was considered controversial by the critics for Qudratullah’s outer-worldly encounters.

Describing her uncle as not assertive, but firm, Samina recalled his words: “People often have the right to remain silent. Sometimes, they should exercise this option”.